Changing Places - Section 3 Using Sources

Question 1

What is qualitative data?

Answer 1

Information that is non-numerical and used in a relatively unstructured and open-ended way. It is descriptive information, which often comes from interviews, focus groups or artistic depictions such as photographs.

Question 2

What is quantitative data?

Answer 2

Data that can be quantified and verified, and is amenable to statistical manipulation.

Question 3

What is geospatial data?

Answer 3

information that describes objects, events or other features with a location on or near the surface of the earth. For example, geo-tagged tweets, the index of multiple deprivation or property prices located on a map.

Question 4

Data sources - maps detail

Answer 4

Used to locate places but can also influence how we think or feel about a place and as such play a very important role in both our sense of place and perception of place.

Question 5

Data sources - maps reliability and usefulness

Answer 5

Reliability and accuracy of maps have to be considered.
Maps can include hidden bias and influence.
Search engines filter place

Question 6

Data sources - statistics detail

Answer 6

can reveal information about places e.g. age and gender structure, ethnicity and levels of economic deprivation.
The census provides large-scale quantitative data, which is used by national agencies to understand and plan for demographic changes.

Question 7

Data sources - statistics reliability, usefulness

Answer 7

Statistics themselves are objective.
People selectively choose the data they wish to use for their particular purpose.
Their use therefore becomes subjective.
Another criticism is they usually don’t tell you anything about sense of place.

Question 8

Data sources - counter-mapping detail

Answer 8

Counter-mapping describes the process by which people produce their own maps, informed by their own local knowledge and understanding of places.
map not only provides factual information, but it also conveys a sense of place

Question 9

Data sources - counter-mapping reliability, usefulness

Answer 9

Advantage is that it includes factual information and a sense of place
But subjective to that person’s experience of place and one person’s perception

Question 10

Data sources - bio-mapping detail

Answer 10

This is the mapping of emotions shown by people to certain places through the use of a device which records the wearer’s Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). This is a simple indicator of emotional response in conjunction with a geographical location. A map can be created which visualises points of high and low feelings.
E.g. An experiment on a man walking around London and the seaside.
Showed lower stress levels at the seaside but spikes of energy when crossing busy road and catching underground train in London.

Question 11

Data sources - interviews detail

Answer 11

Interviews can generate detailed insights about a person’s sense of place or perception of place. They are first-hand or direct reports of experiences, opinions and feelings.
Interviews can be structured or unstructured. Unstructured interviews are more like an everyday conversation rather than having pre-set questions. They are more informal, open-ended flexible and free flowing.

Question 12

Data sources - interviews reliability, usefulness

Answer 12

Disadvantages- interviewer bias. Interviewer may affect responses of interviewee
People present themselves in a favourable light and may not be honest - take into consideration

For fieldwork:
Time consuming compared to other data collection methods
A small sample of interviews it not representative of whole population.
More opportunity for explanation that may not be gained from questionnaires.

Question 13

Data sources - photographs details

Answer 13

Photographs are selective in what they show.

With advanced technology people are increasingly using photo-editing to make places appear different, to improve the image or perception of a place

Marketing images tend to focus on the natural beauty or landscape of places without disturbance from humans. The reality for tourist places may be very different

Question 14

Data sources - photographs reliability, usefulness

Answer 14

Disadvantages are that photographs may differ from reality. Reasons for this include photo-editing
Photos are a snapshot in time
The person taking the photo also has influence on what appears in the image.

Question 15

Data sources - textual sources details

Answer 15

Written representations can be used to describe places and can evoke a sense of place.

Newspaper articles can give lots of details, but they may focus on ideas and topics that are likely to sell more copies rather than give a balanced perspective.

Some places have become so strongly associated with authors and stories that they are now promoted or advertised as such.

Question 16

Data sources - textual sources usefulness

Answer 16

May only offer the perspective of the author so they don’t show a complete picture.
Newspapers can be biased.

Question 17

Data sources - poetry details

Answer 17

Poetry used to describe and evoke a sense of place
Many famous poets associated with particular places eg) William Wordsworth linked to Lake District
Poets may refer to specific places in personal and responsive ways, also enable reader to sense and imagine what it’s like to be in that place. Same place can be represented in different ways in different poems

Question 18

Data sources - poetry usefulness

Answer 18

Gives an emotional impression of place.
Emotional sense of place from one perspective

Question 19

Data sources - music details

Answer 19

Music can help evoke a sense of place
Different types of music may be associated with a geographical area and song lyrics may also help portray particular places.
Eg) Alicia Keys song about New tour - Empire State of Mind

Question 20

Data sources - music usefulness

Answer 20

Gives an emotional impression of place.
But Only from one perspective.

Question 21

Data sources - Tv and film detail

Answer 21

Places are a vital backdrop to most dramas, Certain places are associated with different types of stories

TV shows also play a significant role in representing place and this can be positive and negative.

Question 22

Data sources - TV and film usefulness

Answer 22

Places are represented in ways both positive and negative.
The same place can be portrayed in different ways so they evoke a sense of place that is dependent on the nature of the story being told.

Question 23

Data sources - art detail

Answer 23

Art has long been used to represent place . Painters became synonymous with geographical places.

Question 24

Data sources - art usefulness

Answer 24

Show deeper understanding of place because they allow the oranges to show more of the character of what there is and convey a sense of place.

Disadvantage is that paintings may be less reliable than photographs because there is more scope for individual interpretation and selection.
A painting may be a snapshot in time.

Question 25

Data sources - Graffiti details

Answer 25

Graffiti is writing or drawing that has been put on a wall or other surface, often in a public place.

Many consider it as a type of vandalism and authorities are keen to remove it from public areas.
however, it is being accepted into mainstream culture and art.

Question 26

Data sources - place and architecture detail

Answer 26

As well as designing buildings, architects are responsible for planning places and it’s increasingly important in terms of creating sustainable and healthy places.
Can play a key role in the redevelopment and rebranding of a place

Question 27

Data sources - geospatial data details

Answer 27

the use of digital technology has led to much discussion about the notion of digital place.

Question 28

Data sources - big data detail

Answer 28

Big data is big in terms if its scale.
Different definitions of big data with several things in common:
- Volume – data is not a sample; it is a record of data whole data sets / population of users.
- Velocity – often real-time information, for example purchase transactions.
- Digital footprint – may be a cost-free by-product of digital interaction.

Question 29

Data sources - big data usefulness

Answer 29

Concerns have been raised by some groups of people about the idea that our every move or browse online can be monitored and is traceable using big data.